Senator Mattie Hunter introduced legislation in 2013 focused on minority businesses, law enforcement data collection, healthcare access, breast cancer awareness, and trauma centers. Her top priorities included creating a loan fund to increase state contracts for minority-owned businesses, requiring police to log racial information during arrests, allowing imprisoned people to apply for medical aid, advocating for breast cancer research in minority communities, and addressing lack of trauma center access statewide.

1. Senator Mattie Hunter’s
Top 5 in 2013

2. 1. Minority business contracts
Hunter created a revolving loan fund to increase state
contracts with women and minority business owners.
SB 2320

3. 2. Logging racial data
Law enforcement must log the racial and ethnic information
of every criminal.
SB 1598

4. 3. Medical aid for the incarcerated
People who are currently imprisoned can apply for medical
aid any time while serving their sentence.
HB 1046

5. 4. Breast cancer awareness
Hunter advocated the need for breast cancer awareness and
research within the minority community. She also helped
dedicate an Illinois Lottery ticket to the former Illinois Lottery
director, Carolyn Adams, who lost her battle with breast
cancer in 2007.
HB 3175

6. 5. Trauma center deserts
Hunter made trauma center deserts, or the lack of access to a
trauma center, a statewide issue after holding a hearing in
Chicago. In 2014, Hunter plans to hold future hearings and
develop legislation to increase access to medical facilities
across the state.